October 25, 2011

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Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel harshly scolded members who are failing to donate to the party during a caucus meeting Tuesday morning, a knowledgeable source told POLITICO.

Using unequivocal language, Israel bluntly told the gathering of House Democrats, "If an online donor can write a $32 check to help put you back in the majority, you can write a check to help put us back in the majority."

The source said the New York congressman used the DCCC's fundraising success among grassroots activists to implore members to do their own part. He even went as far as to threaten fewer DCCC services for incumbents who don't buck up, according to the account.

"It's not because I don't love you, it's because I love you more in the majority," Israel said, noting that only about half of House Democrats are paying their dues to the committee.

After Israel finished speaking, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi bolstered the order, saying, "I've turned over every stone and gotten blood out of it. You need to do your part."

During the third quarter, Democrats outraised the National Republican Congressional Committee by a margin of two-to-one. But that advantage was padded by individuals. For instance, the DCCC took in $2.8 million in online contributions during the quarter, compared with the $1.8 million put up by members.

The DCCC's success with small donors is partly driving leadership's frustration with half of their rank-and-file, according to the source.

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll shows House Democrats winning the generic ballot over Republicans by 8 points.

Over the course of the year, the DCCC has outraised the NRCC $47 million to $44 million, but the NRCC maintains a $12.2 million to $9.5 million cash-on-hand lead heading into the final quarter of 2011.

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